Life-cycle cost assessment of hull protection technologies considering their effect on the environmental friendliness of fishing vessels.

Biofouling represents a global challenge for the maritime industry, affecting vessel performance and environmental footprint. This paper analyses various antifouling technologies to reduce the vessel's environmental impact and its operating costs by reduced fuel consumption and less frequent dry-docking. It evaluates both passive and active technologies - passive referring to antifouling coatings and active involving systems that continuously prevent biofouling using energy.